Merchandise Planner

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Merchandise Planner to join our team at the Morningside Support Office, supporting one of New Zealand’s iconic retail brands, either Briscoes Homeware or Rebel Sport. In this role, you will focus on optimizing sales, margin, and inventory outcomes by working collaboratively with Buyers and multiple departments including Marketing, Retail Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain. Your expertise will aid in constructing forward-looking merchandise plans, managing inventory investments, and converting trading insights into actionable decisions to ensure the right products are available at the right time and place.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain 18-month rolling merchandise financial plans and category budgets that strike a balance between sales, margin, and inventory investment.
• Create sales, demand, and inventory forecasts to inform purchasing choices and meet company objectives.
• Provide open-to-buy guidance and analyze trading trends, seasonal patterns, inventory risks, and opportunities.
• Manage stock allocations, replenishment, safety stock, and redistribution to maximize product availability while limiting overstock and stock shortages.
• Collaborate with Buyers on assortment plans, category strategies, promotional initiatives, and markdown planning.
• Coordinate stock flow and support major trade events and regular promotions through cross-functional teamwork.
• Monitor category performance, transforming data into timely actions that enhance sales, profitability, and inventory effectiveness.
• Assist in improving merchandise planning systems, workflows, and processes.

About You

You will be a commercially focused planner with strong analytical skills, retail insight, and the ability to influence decisions confidently. You can effectively balance strategic planning with in-season trading activities and communicate complex information clearly to diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of five years’ experience in merchandise, inventory, or category planning or a related commercial function.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in business, supply chain, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proficient knowledge of forecasting techniques, open-to-buy processes, inventory management, and merchandise financial planning.
• Strong analytical reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities supported by advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing capabilities.
• Understanding of supply chain and stock flow fundamentals.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvements and experience in supporting planning system or process enhancements.

Experience with advanced Excel features such as arrays, Power Query, or VBA, involvement with overseas import programs, or familiarity with apparel and footwear categories is advantageous based on the brand focus.

About the Employer

Briscoes Homeware and Rebel Sport are among New Zealand’s most recognized retail brands, operated by the Briscoe Group, an NZX-listed company experiencing an exciting growth and transformation phase. The organization values equality and inclusion, being a Platinum Partner of First Foundation and a supporter of Cure Kids.

Additional Information and Application Details

Applicants must be authorized to work in New Zealand, holding Permanent Residency or Citizenship. All applications will be treated confidentially. AI tools might be used to screen applications, but all hiring decisions are reviewed by our recruitment team.

To apply, please submit your application online. For any inquiries, contact Julia Budge from the People and Talent team via recruitment@briscoegroup.co.nz.

Application deadline: 4 August 2026